Stability for earliness in wheat

Abstract:

Stable early-maturing wheat varieties serve as a critical buffer against terminal heat, drought, and pest cycles, enabling higher market premiums and reduced operational costs in multi-cropping systems. The present research entiled stability for earliness was conducted during Rabi 2024-25 across three locations Dhule, Rahuri, and Niphad using the Eberhart and Russell model. The genotypes showed significant differences for both traits when tested against pooled error. The environments differed significantly for days to 50% heading and days to maturity when tested against pooled deviation, pooled error and G X E interaction. Significant G × E interactions confirmed that genotypes performed differently across all locations. Rahuri was favourable for early heading. Niphad and Dhule favoured earlier maturity. NIAW-4820, NIAW-4857, NIAW-4864, NIAW-4887, NIAW-4891 and NIAW-4898 had average stability for days to 50% heading. NIAW-4809 and NIDW-1585 showed average stability for days to maturity. NIAW-4840 had above - average stability for days to 50% heading. NIAW-4820, NIAW-4901, and MACS-6222 [C] showed above-average stability for days to maturity. NIAW-4910 showed below-average stability for days to 50% heading. NIAW-4840, NIAW-4857, NIAW-4871, NIAW-4887 and NIAW-4891 showed below-average stability for days to maturity, indicating specific adaptation to high-yielding environments.